I love it when I find an old picture on the computer desktop:

Jackson's 40th birthday present to Mama

Last night, as I was tucking Jackson into bed, he said, "Do you want your birthday present now?" I was a little tired so I said, "No, tomorrow will be good. We can wait til then." He asked me again and I realized I better say yes. He looked in my eyes and said, "My birthday present to you is you get to sleep with Blue for the night."

Blue is Jackson's blankie that he has slept with every night of his life. Florida, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Dean Street, my floor, camping - - every single night.

Break my heart, what a sweet boy. He was nervous. He said, "But if I need him I can come in and get him." We agreed on that, and I took him to my room. He didn't need to come and get him.

More Blue here, and here.

happy birthday, mama

My birthday last weekend was great. We started out with homemade cards and bagels from my favorite La Bagel Delight. Thank you Jon for the perfect bag that I'd long been coveting. We played around the house, hung out, and I got some stuff done while the boys watched the Olympics. Then to get out of the house, Jon suggested a trip to the park. We went deep into the center of the park to spots I'd never been. Jackson rode his bike and Cade rode his scooter, and I was wearing flip-flops. Oops. THREE MILES LATER, we made it home.

That night we went to Talde and had the pretzel dumplings and the Beef Short Ribs. I want more.
Vanesa, Jackson's old teacher and Cade's new teacher, came to babysit and it was a drama-free departure. That might have been the best birthday present of all.

Also, on the way to Prospect Park, I got a free beach chair and found a 5-dollar bill. :)